Folding furniture and methods of assembling the same

ABSTRACT

A chair includes a pair of rear side frame members, a pair of forward side frame members, a pair of adjustment members, and a seat. The pair of rear side frame members are coupled together in a mirrored relationship. The pair of forward side frame members are coupled together in a mirrored relationship. Each of the adjustment members includes an elongate slot defined therein. Each of the forward side frame members is slidably coupled to each of the adjustment member slots. Each of the rear side frame members is pivotally coupled to an opposite end of the pair of adjustment members. The seat is suspended from the pair of rear side frame members and the pair of forward side frame members. The chair is foldable from an in-use position to a generally flat storage position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to articles of furniture, and moreparticularly, to foldable chairs that are adjustable to accommodatebeing used on varying terrain.

Spectators at outdoor events, such as sporting events, fireworksdisplays, and/or beachgoers, often use portable, foldable lawn furniturefor seating during their time at such locations. At such locations,seating is commonly placed on grassy areas, beaches, or other terrainthat may not be flat. Depending on the terrain of the ground, it may bedifficult to set the furniture in a position that provides comfort tothe user.

To accommodate uneven or sloped ground, at least some known portablefurniture includes an adjustment mechanism that facilitates keeping theseat of the chair roughly parallel relative to the horizontal and to theground upon which the chair is situated. For example, U.S. Pat. No.5,494,333 to Wilson describes a chair which includes three or fouradjustable legs. However, the number of adjustment positions is fixed,such that sloped terrain usage may be limited. Other known adjustablechairs include individually adjustable legs that are not adjustable by aseated user. In addition, other known adjustable chairs includeadjustment mechanisms that are fairly complicated assemblies that aredifficult to use and/or assemble, that are costly, that are positionedsuch that they limit an amount of folding of the chair for storage,and/or that must be manually readjusted each time the location of thechair is changed. Moreover, depending on the materials used infabricating the adjustment mechanisms, over time the tolerances betweenmoving components may loosen, thus reducing the effectiveness of suchmechanisms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a chair is provided. The chair includes a pair of rearside frame members, a pair of forward side frame members, a pair ofadjustment members, and a seat. The pair of rear side frame members arecoupled together in a mirrored relationship. The pair of forward sideframe members are coupled together in a mirrored relationship. Each ofthe adjustment members includes an elongate slot defined therein. Eachof the forward side frame members is slidably coupled to each of theadjustment member slots. Each of the rear side frame members ispivotally coupled to an opposite end of the pair of adjustment members.The seat is suspended from the pair of rear side frame members and thepair of forward side frame members. The chair is foldable from an in-useposition to a generally flat storage position.

In another aspect, a foldable article of furniture is provided. Thearticle of furniture includes a pair of rear side frame members, a pairof forward side frame members, a pair of adjustment members, and a seat.The pair of rear side frame members are coupled together in a mirroredrelationship such that the pair of rear side frame members aresubstantially parallel. The pair of forward side frame members arecoupled together in a mirrored relationship such that the pair offorward side frame members are substantially parallel. Each of theadjustment members includes an elongate slot defined therein. Each ofthe forward side frame members is slidably coupled to each of theadjustment member slots at a first end of each of the pair of adjustmentmembers, such that a radially inner surface of each of the forward sideframe members is positioned adjacent a radially outer surface of each ofthe pair of adjustment members. Each of the rear side frame members ispivotally coupled to an opposite second end of the pair of adjustmentmembers, such that a radially outer surface of each of the forward sideframe members is positioned adjacent a radially inner surface of each ofthe pair of adjustment members. The seat is suspended from the pair ofrear side frame members and the pair of forward side frame members, suchthat the pair of rear side frame members are each between the seat andeach of the pair of forward side frame members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary foldable chair in an openposition.

FIG. 2 is side view of the chair shown in FIG. 1 and in a closedposition.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the chair shown in FIG. 1 andtaken along area 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary foldable chair 10 in anopen position 12. FIG. 2 is side view of chair 10 in a closed or storageposition 14. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of chair 10. In analternative embodiment, chair 10 includes a pair of rocker rails.Moreover, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, thepresent invention may be adapted for use with a plurality of differentchairs and other furniture without departing from its scope. As such,the present invention is not limited to any particular article offurniture.

As best seen in FIG. 1, chair 10 includes a plurality of jointed members20 that are pivotally coupled together with respect to each other.Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, chair 10 includes a pair ofrear side frame members 22 and a pair of forward side frame members 30.In the exemplary embodiment, the rear side frame members 22 aresubstantially identical, and, as described in more detail below, areoriented in a mirrored relationship with respect to each other.Similarly, in the exemplary embodiment, the forward side frame members30 are substantially identical, and, as described in more detail below,are oriented in a mirrored relationship with respect to each other.

In the exemplary embodiment, members 22 and members 30 are coupledtogether by a pair of arm-support members 36 and by a pair of adjustmentmembers 38, as described in more detail below. Specifically, in theexemplary embodiment, each arm-support frame member 36 is pivotallycoupled to each member 30 in proximity to an upper end 40 of each member30, and to each member 22 in proximity to a mid-point region 42 of eachmember 22. As used herein, the term “midpoint region 42” refers to anarea of each member 22 that is approximately midway between an upper end46 and a lower end 48 of each member 22.

Members 22 are also coupled together in the exemplary embodiment by alower structural support member 50 and by an upper structural supportmember 52. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, structuralsupport member 50 is fixedly secured to each member 22 at the lower end48 of each member 22, and structural support member 52 is coupled toeach member 22 at the upper end 46 of each member 22. Members 50 and 52provide structural support to members 22 and to chair 20. Moreover,because members 50 and 52 each have approximately the same length L₁, inthe exemplary embodiment, members 50 and 52 facilitate maintainingmembers 22 in position relative to chair 20. Alternatively, members 50and 52 may be fabricated with different lengths L₁. Specifically, in theexemplary embodiment, members 22 are coupled to members 50 and 52 atapproximately the same relative location with respect to the length L₁of members 50 and 52, such that members 50 and 52 facilitate maintainingmembers 22 in a spaced-apart mirrored orientation, wherein the members22 are substantially parallel to each other and are substantiallyperpendicular to each member 50 and 52.

Similar to members 22, members 30 are coupled together in the exemplaryembodiment by a lower structural support member 60 and by an upperstructural support member 62. More specifically, in the exemplaryembodiment, structural support member 60 is fixedly secured to eachmember 30 adjacent a lower end 64 of each member 30, and structuralsupport member 62 is coupled to each member 30 adjacent the upper end 40of each member 30. Members 60 and 62 provide structural support tomembers 30 and to chair 20. Moreover, because members 60 and 62 eachhave the same length L₂, in the exemplary embodiment, members 60 and 62facilitate maintaining members 30 in position relative to chair 20.Alternatively, members 60 and 62 may be fabricated with differentlengths L₂. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, members 30 areeach coupled to members 60 and 62 at approximately the same relativelocation with respect to the length L₁ of members 60 and 62, such thatmembers 60 and 62 facilitate maintaining members 30 in a spaced-apartmirrored orientation, wherein the members 30 are substantially parallelto each other and are substantially perpendicular to each member 60 and62.

In the exemplary embodiment, members 60 and 62 also facilitatemaintaining members 30 in proper alignment and orientation with respectto members 22. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, members30 and members 22 are oriented substantially parallel to each other andsuch that each member 30 is spaced a distance D₁ outward from eachrespective member 22. Distance D₁ is measured between an outer surface70 of each respective member 22 to an inner surface 72 of eachrespective member 30.

In the exemplary embodiment, because members 22 are coupled a distanceD₁ from members 30, rear side frame members 22 are not coupled directlyto front side frame members 30, but rather members 22 and members 30 areeach pivotally coupled to arm-support member 36 and to adjustmentmembers 38, as described in more detail below. As such, members 22 andmembers 30 may move, relative to each other, without contacting eachother. More specifically, each rear side frame member 22 is rotatablycoupled to an aft end 80 of each arm-support member 36 at a pivot point82 and is also rotatably coupled to a forward end 84 of each adjustmentmember 38 at a pivot point 86. Moreover in the exemplary embodiment,each front side frame member 30 is rotatably coupled to a forward end 90of each arm-support member 36 at a pivot point 92 and is slidably androtably coupled at an adjustment coupler point 93, as described in moredetail below, located adjacent an aft end 94 of each adjustment member38.

In the exemplary embodiment, a seat 100 fabricated from a sheet offlexible material, such as a cloth material, is suspended from chair 10.Specifically, an upper end 102 of seat 100 is suspended from upperstructural support member 52, and a lower end 104 of seat 100 issuspended from lower structural support member 62. More specifically, inthe exemplary embodiment, each seat end 102 and 104 is folded about itsrespective structural support member 52 and 62, and is then coupled toitself, such as through a sewing process. Alternatively, seat 100 may becoupled to each support member 52 and 62 using any coupling method thatenables seat 100 to function as described herein. Moreover, seat 100 maybe fabricated from any material that enables chair 10 to function asdescribed herein. In the exemplary embodiment, seat 100 is suspendedbetween a pair of arm rests 110 that are each coupled to a respectivearm-support member 36.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, each front side frame member 30 isslidably and rotably coupled at an adjustment coupler point 93 that islocated adjacent to an aft end 94 of each adjustment member 38. Morespecifically, in the exemplary embodiment, each adjustment member 38includes a coupling slot 120 formed therein that extends from an outersurface 122 to an inner surface 124 of each member 38. In the exemplaryembodiment, each slot 120 is substantially linear and is formed with asubstantially constant height h₁ that extends along the full length L₃of each slot 120. Slot length L₃ is measured in the exemplary embodimentbetween opposed ends 125 and 127 of slot 120. Moreover, in the exemplaryembodiment, each slot 120 is substantially centered within eachrespective member 38. In an alternative embodiment, slot 120 may haveany non-linear shape, such as, but not limited to, a stepped shape, thatenables chair 10 to function as described herein. Moreover, in analternative embodiment, each slot 120 may be defined at any locationwithin each member 38. In another alternative embodiment, a plurality ofslots 120 may be defined within each member 38.

In the exemplary embodiment, member 22 is rotatably coupled to eacharm-support member 36, at pivot point 82, and to each adjustment member38, at pivot point 86, with a mechanical faster 130. Moreover in theexemplary embodiment, each front side frame member 30 is coupled to eacharm-support member 36, at pivot point 92, and to each adjustment member38, at adjustment coupler point 93, with mechanical fastener assemblies130. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, mechanical fastenerassemblies 130 include rounded bolt heads 132 and washer/nuts 134.Alternatively, any other suitable fastener mechanism that enables chair10 to function as described herein may be used.

In particular, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, with respect to adjustmentcoupler point 93, the bolts 132 are inserted through slots 120 such thatthe rounded heads 136 of the bolts 132 are adjacent the inner surface124 of each member 38. Moreover, because each bolt head 136 has adiameter D₂ that is larger than slot height h₁, bolts 132 are preventedfrom sliding through slot 120. Bolts 132 are then maintained in slidablecontact within slots 120 by nuts 134. Specifically, with respect tocoupler point 93, when adjustment member 38 is moved, each bolt 132,when secured within slot 120, is slidable between the opposed ends 125and 127 of slot 120, and chair members 22 and 30 are rotatably coupledat each pivot point 82, 92, 86, 93, and 94, about each fastener assembly130.

During use, when a user is seated on chair 10, in a location ofsubstantially even terrain, the bolts 132 within each adjustment slot120 typically remain generally centered within each slot 120 withrespect to the length L₃ of slot 120. Moreover, in such a seatedorientation, when the user selectively shifts their weight forward andaft, the adjustment slots 120 facilitate imparting a rocking chairmotion to chair 10. Alternatively, when a user is using chair 10 on alocation of sloped or non-even terrain, slots 120 facilitate “leveling”chair 10. Specifically, slots 120 may enable the lower ends 48 ofmembers 22 to be supported at an terrain elevation that is lower thanthe elevation of the terrain supporting the lower ends 64 of members 30,or vice-versa, without causing the relative orientation of seat 100 tobe significantly altered as compared to when chair 10 is used onsubstantially level terrain. As a result, the tendency of chair 10 to beinadvertently tipped over by a seated user is facilitated to be reducedin comparison to chairs not including such adjustment members 38.

When chair 10 is folded for storage into folded position 14, slots 120facilitate enabling members 22 and 30 to be positioned substantiallyparallel to each other, such that each member 30 is radially inward fromeach member 22. As such, slots 120 facilitate chair 10 being folded intoa substantially “flatter” storage position 14 than is generally possiblewith other sling style foldable chairs. Moreover, during folding forstorage into position 14, structural support member 52 facilitatespreventing the over-rotation of member 30 with respect to member 22.

Exemplary embodiments of foldable furniture including adjustment slotsare described in detail above. The adjustment slots described herein arenot limited for use with the chair described herein, but rather, theadjustment slots can be utilized independently and separately from otherchair components described herein. Moreover, the invention is notlimited to the embodiments of the chair described above in detail.Rather, the present invention may be used with other variations offoldable furniture within the spirit and scope of the claims.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specificembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of theclaims.

1. A chair comprising: a pair of rear side frame members coupledtogether in a mirrored relationship; a pair of forward side framemembers coupled together in a mirrored relationship; a pair ofadjustment members, each of said adjustment members comprises anelongate slot defined therein, each of said forward side frame membersis slidably coupled to each of said adjustment member slots, each ofsaid rear side frame members is pivotally coupled to an opposite end ofsaid pair of adjustment members; and a seat suspended from said pair ofrear side frame members and said pair of forward side frame members,said chair is foldable from an in-use position to a generally flatstorage position, each of said rear side frame members comprises amember having a length that extends from a top of said chair to theterrain upon which said chair is supported when said chair is in thein-use position.
 2. A chair in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pairof forward side frame members are each substantially parallel to each ofsaid pair of rear side frame members.
 3. A chair in accordance withclaim 1 wherein each of said forward side frame members are each coupleda distance from each of said rear side frame members by each of saidpair of adjustment members, such that said forward side frame memberscan not touch said rear side frame members.
 4. A chair in accordancewith claim 1 wherein said pair of adjustment members facilitatesleveling said chair with respect to the terrain beneath said chair.
 5. Achair in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pair of adjustment membersfacilitate enabling said chair to be folded such that each of said pairof rear side frame members are positioned radially inward from each ofsaid pair of forward side frame members.
 6. A chair in accordance withclaim 1 further comprising a pair of arm-rest assemblies each pivotallycoupled between one of said forward side frame members and one of saidrear side frame members, each of said pair of arm-rest assembliesfacilitates maintaining said forward side frame members a distance fromsaid rear side frame members such that said forward side frame memberscan not touch said rear side frame members when said chair is folded. 7.A chair in accordance with claim 6 wherein each of said arm-restassemblies comprises an arm rest coupled to a support member.
 8. A chairin accordance with claim 1 further comprising a plurality of structuralsupport members coupled between said pair of forward side frame members,said plurality of structural support members facilitate maintaining saidpair of forward side frame members in a spaced-apart relationship wheresaid pair of forward side frame members are substantially parallel.
 9. Achair in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a plurality ofstructural support members coupled between said pair of rear side framemembers, said plurality of structural support members facilitatemaintaining said pair of rear side frame members in a spaced-apartrelationship where said pair of rear side frame members aresubstantially parallel.
 10. A chair in accordance with claim 1 whereineach of said elongate slots is substantially centered within each ofsaid pair of adjustment members and extends substantially linearly froma first end to a second of each of said slots, each of said elongateslots has a length that is less than half a length of each of said pairof adjustment members.
 11. A foldable article of furniture, saidfurniture comprising: a pair of rear side frame members coupled togetherin a mirrored relationship such that said pair of rear side framemembers are substantially parallel; a pair of forward side frame memberscoupled together in a mirrored relationship such that said pair offorward side frame members are substantially parallel; a pair ofadjustment members, each of said adjustment members comprises anelongate slot defined therein, each of said forward side frame membersis slidably coupled to each of said adjustment member slots at a firstend of each of said pair of adjustment members, such that a radiallyinner surface of each of said forward side frame members is positionedadjacent a radially outer surface of each of said pair of adjustmentmembers, each of said rear side frame members is pivotally coupled to anopposite second end of said pair of adjustment members, such that aradially outer surface of each of said forward side frame members ispositioned adjacent a radially inner surface of each of said pair ofadjustment members, each of said elongate slots extends for a lengththat is shorter than half a length of each of said pair of adjustmentmembers; and a seat suspended from said pair of rear side frame membersand said pair of forward side frame members, such that said pair of rearside frame members are each between said seat and each of said pair offorward side frame members.
 12. An article of furniture in accordancewith claim 11 wherein each of said elongate slots is substantiallycentered within each an aft end of each of said pair of adjustmentmembers and extends substantially linearly from a first end to a secondof each of said slots.
 13. An article of furniture in accordance withclaim 12 further comprising a first plurality of structural supportmembers coupled substantially perpendicularly between said pair of rearside frame members, said first plurality of structural support membersfacilitate maintaining said pair of rear side frame members in aspaced-apart relationship such that said pair of rear side frame membersare substantially parallel, said seat is suspended from one of saidfirst plurality of structural support members.
 14. An article offurniture in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a secondplurality of structural support members coupled substantiallyperpendicularly between said pair of forward side frame members, saidsecond plurality of structural support members facilitate maintainingsaid pair of forward side frame members in a spaced-apart relationshipwhere said pair of forward side frame members are substantiallyparallel, said seat is suspended from one of said second plurality ofstructural support members.
 15. An article of furniture in accordancewith claim 12 further comprising a pair of arm-rest assemblies pivotallycoupled between one of said forward side frame members and one of saidrear side frame members, each of said pair of arm-rest assembliescomprises an arm rest coupled to a support member, said support memberfacilitates maintaining said forward side frame members a distance fromsaid rear side frame members such that said forward side frame memberscan not touch said rear side frame members when said article offurniture is folded.
 16. An article of furniture in accordance withclaim 12 wherein said pair of adjustment members facilitates levelingsaid article of furniture with respect to the terrain beneath saidarticle of furniture.
 17. An article of furniture in accordance withclaim 12 wherein said pair of said forward side frame members is alsopivotally coupled to each of said adjustment member slots.